And to think about 40 years ago, those rams were the state of the art in vehicle crash rescue, now that is a much better use. Love the crystals._________________John
John Atwell Rasmussen, Ph.D.. AJP
Geologist and Gemologist

Fantastic Vic, can't wait to see the piece with the large crystal in the vug once the reduction in size has occurred. Please let us know how you accomplish the reduction._________________John S. White
aka Rondinaire

Fantastic Vic, can't wait to see the piece with the large crystal in the vug once the reduction in size has occurred. Please let us know how you accomplish the reduction.

Yes Vic, I am very curious to know how you intend to reduce those rocks to display, what I am sure will be very nice pieces. Could you send us some photos of the process once completed?_________________Pierre Joubert

You have both nailed it. Now what. First thing to do is nothing. Sometimes the act of releasing the blocks from their place of formation allows the dolomite to take a breath and cracks are either induced or enlarged, kind of self trimming to a point. Then diamond chain saws, careful chisel surgery or hydraulic trimming. Pesto!! It breaks right through the best part. Sometimes.
Mineral prep and presentation is an art and all respect to those who do it well. I've got piles of failed attempts.

A very useful tool for the field collector. The threaded adjustment allows for great flexibility, 0 to 18 cm. between anvils. Chinese made and rather stout, just turning the hand wheel sometimes is all that is needed for a trim, and the force of the hydraulics has scared me. I got this one from Dennis Beals and it has served me well.

For a while now, off and on, we've found some rather odd floater quartz crystals at the site. This one qualifies as the oddest. After showing it to John White, I thought I'd have a good image taken to share with the forum. These fine shot's were taken by Jeff Scovil, at the East Coast show, far better than anything I could take, and much more informative than trying to explain an inferior photo. I would be interested in what you folks think might be the process that produced this form. Much of the quartz we find is associated with anthraxolite, a compact hydrocarbon that was present with the silicified fluids that grew the quartz. Many of the crystals found are the classic Herkimer form, no point of attachment, but this one is really something else. It would be interesting to know if anyone has ever seen another crystal of any species with a similar form. We have found a few of these. This, the best so far. I look forward to your input, and thanks for viewing.

For a while now, off and on, we've found some rather odd floater quartz crystals at the site. This one qualifies as the oddest. After showing it to John White, I thought I'd have a good image taken to share with the forum. These fine shot's were taken by Jeff Scovil, at the East Coast show, far better than anything I could take, and much more informative than trying to explain an inferior photo. I would be interested in what you folks think might be the process that produced this form. Much of the quartz we find is associated with anthraxolite, a compact hydrocarbon that was present with the silicified fluids that grew the quartz. Many of the crystals found are the classic Herkimer form, no point of attachment, but this one is really something else. It would be interesting to know if anyone has ever seen another crystal of any species with a similar form. We have found a few of these. This, the best so far. I look forward to your input, and thanks for viewing.

Most unusual! I have never seen anything like that before._________________Pierre Joubert

Hi Vic and hi to everybody!
The last one you show is a very nice crystal! Inclusions should be very beautiful! If you have the possibility of showing us any photo about, don't hesitate to let us see it!
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo._________________Hi! I'm a collector of minerals since 1973 and a gemmologist. On Summer I always visit mines and quarries all over Europe looking for minerals! Ok, there is time to tell you much much more! Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.

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